Two bandsawing machines, a circular saw and a tower storage system are to be shown by Kasto for the first time in the UK at MACH. The exhibition will mark the world premiere for one of the saws, KastoEvo, and also for the bar store, Unitower C.
Replacing the successful KastoTwin bandsaws, the new KastoEvo A 3x4 and 4x5 models distinguish themselves by having a closed, U-shaped frame similar to the manufacturer's top end KastoTec machines. Cutting forces are directed through the centre of the guides onto the blade, while the guide arms are shorter and more compact, leading to minimal vibration and hence faster, more accurate sawing.
Precision cutting is further promoted by the use of double bearings on both the driven and idle blade wheels, which allow higher band tension and hence greater cutting accuracy. Another feature is the extended enclosure, including an access tunnel at the front and a cover on the rear, designed to meet current CE directives. In addition to being safer, the design has reduced noise level by 5dbA, resulting in a quieter working environment.
KastoEvo A 3x4 can cut 360mm diameter or square material at 90°. Smallest cut length is 6mm and minimum rest piece length is just 15mm, minimising material wastage. The saw motor is 3kW, delivering cutting feeds between 15 and 150 mm/minute. The larger KastoEvo A 4x5 has a 90° cutting capacity of 440mm diameter/square and has a 4kW saw motor.
Standard equipment includes coolant system with 100 litre tank, a brush for cleaning chips from the saw blade, light sensor barrier, cut depth setting, band tension adjustment for critical materials or thin-walled pipes and profiles, and material support. Automation and monitoring options may be specified for unattended machining.
KastoTec AC4 KPC bandsaw
Bandsawing productivity has increased by a claimed 300-400% with Kasto's ‘-tec' range of bandsaws that have been factory-fitted with KPC (Kasto Performance Cutting) technology which takes a holistic view of all aspects of the bandsawing process including blade guidance and monitoring, feeds and speeds for the materials being cut, machine construction, coolant delivery, the control system and blade selection.
The technology will be on show for the first time at a national UK exhibition in the form of the 430mm capacity KastoTec AC4 KPC. Latest cutting tests show that case hardening steel can be sawn at a speed similar to that achieved by bandsaws going through aluminium.
The test piece was 100Cr6 steel tempered to 950N/mm², 420mm diameter, sawn using a 54 x 1.3mm standard, thin kerf, coated carbide blade on a KastoTec AC5 KPC. By selecting a band speed of 300m/minute and 220mm/minute downfeed, the cut was completed in two minutes, equivalent to a cut rate of 692mm²/minute. Furthermore, there was no penalty in reduced blade life.
KastoTec AC series machines feature a steel/mineral cast composite construction that is six to eight times more vibration absorbing than cast iron. The machine has a powerful main drive through a rigid, play-free, spur bevel gear delivering 98% of the available power directly to the drive wheels.
High precision cuts are a result of having blade guides as close as possible to the stock on both sides, and maintenance-free linear guides for the hydraulic infeed. Together with feedback of cutting force, blade speed and position, they provide consistent feed per tooth, irrespective of the ambient temperature.
Overlaid on this specification is the new KPC package, which Kasto has developed to improve cutting productivity still further. The focus has been on minimising vibration during cutting, which has the threefold benefit of raising accuracy, reducing noise and allowing increases in band speed and feedrate.
Key steps taken include new blade guidance on both sides of the cutting area and a measure to dampen vibration using the Trumguide system. Two spring-loaded tensioner guides are mounted at the returning side of the blade, inside the top of the saw head guarding at either end. These guides have the effect of suppressing vibration on the side opposite to the cutting action.
Unitower C
The Kasto Unitower C automated tower system, formerly intended for storing sheet metal is now available for storing bar. Able to be customised from modules and easy to operate, the Unitower C is ideal for first-time users and is an economical solution to storage in job shops, distribution centres and throughout industry.
Two sizes of bar store are available, 6.5m and 8.5m long, cassette width being 840mm. Both offer high storage density and are quick and inexpensive to configure. The new Kasto BasicControl with touch panel and operator guidance provides easy management of the system and has a 'dead man' control when used in semi-automatic mode.
The design of the steel structure is flexibly configured with standard, perforated structural profile up to a system height of 7m. Shelves are moved on plastic inserts in the guideways and are pulled out or pushed back by a powered carriage that runs the height of the tower on racks, allowing the load to be presented to the operator at ground level.
Kasto
www.kasto.uk.com
Hall4, Stand: 4624
